We might still be learning about the trading season and draft in the AFL but football is distant news locally as the 2009/2010 season for the Seymour Euroa Tennis Association kicks into action with two Sections for 2009-10.

Ideal conditions greeted the teams at the Euroa Lawn Tennis Club courts on Saturday afternoon. In Section 1, Euroa Forlonge competed against Seymour St Mary's. Yvonne Maxwell and Genevieve Gordon were too strong for Heather Camm and Alison Worland, winning the first women’s match 8-5. The closeness of the scores indicated the flow of the match.

There was a similar result in the second women’s match, when Yvonne and Kerrie Puppa defeated Heather and Gayle Furphy 8-5. Bob Furphy and Jack Dyer joined forces to defeat Peter Bath and Paul Gratten 8-6 in the first men’s set. Peter Bath and Jack Puppa reversed the situation in the second men’s set, winning 8-4 against Bob and Michael Bell. Genevieve and Kerrie then narrowly beat Gayle and Alison 8-7 in a tie-breaker. Jack and Michael completed the men’s doubles by beating Paul and Jack 8-5. At the refreshments break, St Mary's led Euroa 43-37 and the margin widened as the scores for the mixed pairs came to light. St Mary's, 6 sets 63 games, defeated Euroa, 3 sets 50 games. Jack Dyer hadn’t played for some time, yet his skills and reflexes came back as he darted around the court. Hopefully we will see Jack next week and there is a strong rumour that Paula will also find her racquet and play each week.

Euroa Lawn played Nagambie at Nagambie in the other Section 1 match. Rosie Habel and Julie Brook were too experienced for Megan Furphy and Kathryn O’Brien, winning 8-2. Joel Morrison and Andrew Bell then defeated Ron Habel and Trevor Forbes 8-3. Rosie and Sharon Kleinig accounted for Megan and Judi Ward 8-3. Ron and Alan Kosky beat Joel and Hamish Heal 8-5. Julie and Sharon then defeated Kathryn and Judi 8-2. Andrew and Hamish beat Trevor and Alan 8-6. At the break, Nagambie 41 games led Euroa 28 games. Although there were close sets in the mixed, Nagambie finished up the victors with the scores Nagambie 7 sets 67 games, leading 2 sets, 42 games. The young Euroa team will no doubt improve as the season progresses.

A third Euroa Section 1 team, Longwood Lawn, played Avenel at Avenel. No results are to hand but the team is formidable with Chris Ellis, Jaime Hamill, Wendy Moore, Sally Redfern and Debbie Seach joining forces with Scott Meehan, John Moore, David Putamorsi and Brendan Redfern. In Round 2 of Section 1, Euroa Lawn plays Avenel and Longwood Lawn plays Euroa Forlonge, both at Euroa.

In Section 2, Euroa Gooram played St Mary's and Euroa Lawn played Avenel White, all games being played at Euroa. Haiden Berry, Jamie Elliott, Jimmy Ivill, Ro Berry, Caitlin Elliott and Megan O’Bree competed for Gooram. Although the local team lost to St Mary's, it was refreshing to see team “Elliott” joining the ranks of the Euroa Lawn Tennis Club.

Jesse Duff, Laura Ward, Libby Woodhouse, Grant Flahive, Rob Heal and Rob Morphet led the charge against Avenel. Grant Flahive teamed with partners to win two sets. Grant and Laura won 8-0 in the mixed. Avenel, 7 sets, 61 games, defeated Euroa, 2 sets, 48 games.

Euroa Molka played Avenel Red at Avenel, the home team winning by 6 sets 59 games to 3 sets 47 games. Game scores (like Molka's player ages) ranged widely, from a tie-breaker to an 8-0 for both sides. Grateful thanks go to stand-ins Kerri Smith and Kyle Andrews, who both played well.

Next week in Section 2, Euroa Lawn travels to St Mary's and Euroa Molka plays Euroa Gooram at Euroa. Members are reminded that subscriptions are now due, with early bird discounts until the end of October.